Recent Rain Helped, but Now It's Dry Again

Drier weather has returned to South Carolina, and it could last for several days.

Last week's rain certainly eased drought conditions across some areas of the Palmetto State, but more rain is still needed in parts of the Lowcountry and Pee Dee regions.

Moderate drought conditions persist in areas along and east of I-95, according to an update from the U.S. Drought Mitigation Center released Thursday. However, this is a downgrade from the severe drought conditions noted for these areas one week prior.

The rainfall has helped areas of the Midlands, where precipitation amounts have returned to near normal for the year. More than six inches of rain has fallen in Columbia, which is 4.5 inches above normal for the month. In contrast, the nearly six inches of rain in Charleston has still left a deficit of 4.60” for the year. In the Upstate, it has been a wetter-than-normal year so far. Year-to-date precipitation in Greenville, for example, is four inches above normal.

The slow-moving area of low pressure that led to the recent stretch of heavier rain has moved into New England, allowing a weak front to sweep through the state. Higher pressure building in behind the front will keep the forecast sunny and dry for the weekend. High temperatures will range from the 80s in coastal areas, to upper 80s in Upstate and lower 90s in the Midlands and Pee Dee regions. The stretch of dry weather is expected to last through at least Tuesday.